L.E.I. - CUBE at Urgnano, Italy

08/02/2017

ing. Francesca Malgorani

L.E.I.3 (LOW ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT - CUBE), a landmark building in the new era of energy conservation, is a clear example of energy awareness in both the winter and summer seasons, together with a desire to distinguised from the architectural tradition.

Designed for a single family, it features two floors above ground and one below. The ground floor features the living area and a study, characterized by Wenge parquet flooring, and a concrete floored kitchen. Space is also provided for a guest bathroom and a wardrobe.

White painted steel branch-like stairs lead to the first floor and the sleeping area, which includes a master bedroom with dressing room and two other bedrooms (one double and one single). The floor is oiled oak and cement resin is used for the master bathroom. The master bedroom on the first floor and the studio on the ground floor are clad in a golden copper alloy and have aquarium-type windows; the copper alloy clad cubes stand out from the remaining walls which are covered in a white thermal wall insualtion.

From the mono-pitched roof, which has photovoltaic panels, mesh sheets 'fall', drilled so as to allow sunlight to warm the building in winter and prevent the building from overheating in summer. Outdoors the metal casts reflections on the near surfaces and the pavement has a more delcate golden hue, ending with the galvanized steel fencing.